COLUMBUS, Ohio – A position-by-position overview of Ohio State's roster as the Buckeyes head into their season opener against Navy on Saturday in Baltimore's M&T Stadium:

QB: This was supposed to be the surest thing on Ohio State's roster, but now it's one of the biggest question marks after Braxton Miller re-injured his shoulder during fall camp and was lost for the season. Now it's up to redshirt freshman J.T. Barrett to lead the Buckeyes, and though he's not nearly as athletic as Miller, the coaching staff hopes he'll make good decisions, avoid mistakes and distribute the ball efficiently to the playmakers. Meyer hasn't dismissed the idea of using third-stringer Cardale Jones, but it's clear that this is Barrett's team.

RB: Ohio State said goodbye to one of the best running backs in the country in Carlos Hyde after last year, and it was supposed to turn to sophomore Ezekiel Elliott. But Elliott broke his wrist during fall camp, which opened the doors for others players like Rod Smith, Bri'onte Dunn and Curtis Samuel. Though Elliott will play in the Buckeyes' opener, Meyer said the running backs go four deep and that he's excited to see which one makes plays.

OL: This is becoming a trend – the Buckeyes lost a ton of talent from this unit, too, after saying goodbye to four senior starter's from last year's offensive line. And as the Buckeyes' opener approaches, there are still two spots that are up for grabs – center, with Chad Lindsey and Jacoby Boren competing, and left guard, which Joel Hale and Billy Price battling. The three positions that have been solidified are left tackle with Taylor Decker, right guard with Pat Elflein and right tackle with Darryl Baldwin. Meyer said he was pleased with the depth of this position, but like the previous two positions in this breakdown, it's riddled with inexperience.

TE: One of Ohio State's best returning playmakers is tight end Jeff Heuerman, but he spent the majority of fall camp limited with a foot injury. Though he vows he'll play against Navy, Meyer is comfortable with the reserve in Nick Vannett, who has reportedly had one of the best offseasons of anyone on the team.

WR: Guess what? More inexperience. Though the Buckeyes top two starters are Devin Smith and Evan Spencer, both seniors, none have proven they can be consistent playmakers. Smith is a good deep threat that has made some plays, but he has been one-dimensional, and Spencer has proven to be far more valuable as a blocker than a playmaker.

But there are a few other names expected to make a difference are H-Backs Dontre Wilson and Jalin Marshall, Corey Smith and Michael Thomas. Like the running backs, Meyer is excited to see who will make plays at this position. Outside of Wilson, who is expected to carry the load offensively this year, everyone else is unproven.

DL: This is the deepest position on the team, and perhaps the country. On a roster filled with questions, there simply isn't any worry with the top four on the defensive line – ends Joey Bosa and Noah Spence and tackles Adolphus Washington and Michael Bennett. The Buckeyes will be without Noah Spence for the first two games as he serves a suspension, so Steve Miller will take his spot. Other names expected to be heavily involved include Tommy Schutt, Donovan Munger and Tyquan Lewis.

LB: Meyer used to be really uncomfortable with his linebacker position, but he seems to be at ease with the starters – Curtis Grant, Joshua Perry and Darron Lee. Grant, a former five-star prospect, promises yet again to take reins of the team and be a defensive leader, and this is his last chance to make good on his word. Perry started a year ago, but was hampered by inconsistent play, and Lee, a former high school quarterback, bring a special speed and playmaking ability to the defense, but he's still unproven. Freshmen Raekwon McMillan, also a former five-star prospect, and Dante Booker, last year's Mr. Football in Ohio, will also contribute.

CB: Outside of senior Doran Grant, a team captain, the other cornerback spot is the location of another unsettled position battle that includes Gareon Conley and Eli Apple, both freshmen. Both are Meyer's Guys and both will see playing time, he said, and the one that steps up in the spotlight will likely be the one who is the permanent starter.

S: Sophomore Tyvis Powell returns as a starter in the secondary, but there's an ongoing battle between Vonn Bell, a former five-star prospect, and Cameron Burrows, a former cornerback recruit. It's expected that Bell will win that job because of his inherent ability to make plays, which is something that lacked in the secondary last year after Christian Bryant's season came to an end prematurely because of injury. Armani Reeves, who didn't really play into the cornerback battle, is the Buckeyes' starting nickel.

PR/KR: Wilson will handle these duties, but Marshall is also in the mix, Meyer said. It isn't coincidence that those two are supposedly the fastest players on the roster who boast the most dynamic playmaking ability.

K: After saying goodbye to Drew Basil, Ohio State will turn to true freshman Sean Nuernberger to kick field goals this year. That would be a rather tough task for a normal freshman, but Nuernberger says he thrives in the pressure. In fact, he earned his scholarship to Ohio State because he was able to remain consistent in front of Meyer during a Buckeyes camp.

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